From the Foxger’s Den #53: Cross the Streams (Neanderthal)
or solve online (using our beta test of Penpa-Edit tools)
This is a “Franken-Friday” puzzle variation.
Theme: Logical
Rules: Standard Cross the Streams rules, except that the puzzle uses an early number system that only has the concepts of “one” and “many”. All number clues greater than 1 are represented by a + symbol.
Answer String: Enter the length in cells of each of the black segments from top to bottom for the marked columns, going in order from A to B to C to D and separating each entry with a comma.
Time Standards (highlight to view): Grandmaster = 3:15, Master = 6:30, Expert = 13:00
Solution: PDF
Editorial Note: This variation was inspired by a puzzle on a recent Tapa Variations Contest by Serkan Yürekli. A new Tapa Variations Contest runs this weekend for those that are interested.
For some reason, I really liked the logic in this puzzle. Maybe it was due to the variations, but I do think this is one of your best Cross the Streams.
I’m sure no Neanderthal would have invented the concept of wildcards… Great puzzle.
For those of us who get stuck, pbafvqre gur pryyf ng ebj-frira-pbyhza-rvtug naq ebj-frira-pbyhza-gra, naq ubj gurl vagrenpg jvgu gur pyhrf ng gurve erfcrpgvir pbyhzaf.
If it STILL isn’t obvious, gurl pna’g or “bar” pyhrf.
The Neanderthals invented the “?” concept to measure such things as scary animals heard outside the cave in the dark.
“There’s something out there, Og”
“Is it one thing, or many things, Thag?”
“Gee, Og, why don’t you poke your head outside the cave and find out?”
“Let’s just say there’s ? things out there…”
This. (or “Like” if we were in a different forum)
I had a similar but less detailed story in my mind after reading eddie’s comment. The meaning of “something, but I don’t know what” and “I have no idea” should have been clear in the early years even if rarely reduced to symbols like ? and *.